Group curators
Pen-Yuan Hsing
- @Nycticebus_scientia
- | he/they
MammalWeb.org
Amanda Matthes
Brianna Johns
- @briannajohns
- | she/they
Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH)
Despite critical advancements in the tech solutions available to conservationists worldwide, many existing tools are cost-prohibitive in the landscapes that need them most. Additionally, those who create low-cost and open-source alternatives to pricey market tech often operate on tight budgets themselves, meaning they need more resources to promote their solutions to a broader market. We need increased communication around these solutions to highlight their availability, share lessons learned in their creation, and avoid duplication of efforts.
This group is a place to share low-cost, open-source devices for conservation; describe how they are used, including what needs they are addressing and how they fit into the wider conservation tech market; identify the obstacles in advancing the capacity of these technologies; and to discuss the future of these solutions, particularly their sustainability and how best to collaborate moving forward. We welcome contributions from both makers and users, whether active or prospective.
Here is how we see the current OSS space and how this group plans to change it by supporting both makers and users:
Many users do not appreciate the significant benefits of open-source tech. This group will educate users about the advantages and the need for open-source tech, specifically in the context of ecology work. We achieve this by stimulating regular discussions on the forum and by encouraging and supporting users to use open-source tools wherever possible.
Building OSS can be difficult. We want to support both established and potential makers who wish to develop OSS. The OSS group is a place where makers can find funding opportunities, ask current and potential users questions, and share their technologies.
Using OSS can be difficult. We also want to support adopters of OSS tech. We do this by offering a place for users to share challenges they face and crowdsource advice on things like technology choice or technical support.
Makers do not know what users want or need. The OSS group is a place that facilitates conversations between makers and users. This will give users a voice and ensure that makers are aware of the needs of users, enabling them to build better solutions.
The community is small and scattered. We want to grow an inclusive community of OSS practitioners. Our goal is to become the go-to place for discussions on the topic where people feel a sense of belonging.
Resources for getting started
- How do I use open source remote sensing data in Google Earth Engine? | Tech Tutors
- How do I use open source remote sensing data to monitor fishing? | Tech Tutors
- Low Cost, Open Source Solutions | Virtual Meetup
- What would an open source conservation technology toolkit look like? | Discussion
- December 2024 Open Source Solutions Community Call
Header image: Shawn F. McCracken
Group curators
- @Nycticebus_scientia
- | he/they
MammalWeb.org
Co-founded citizen science camera-trapping project with interest in developing 100% open source wildlife tech. Advocate for open science/open research. Community member of the Gathering for Open Science Hardware.
- 3 Resources
- 24 Discussions
- 3 Groups
trying to understand and improve the welfare of all animals that can suffer
- 4 Resources
- 6 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @briannajohns
- | she/they
Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH)
Interested in the application of open source technologies for conservation research.
- 9 Resources
- 4 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- @capreolus
- | he/him
Capreolus e.U.
wildlife biologist with capreolus.at
- 1 Resources
- 78 Discussions
- 16 Groups
- @JakobWiren
- | He,him
Swedish soon-to-be graduate engineer in AI/ML and robotics. Writing my master thesis in using decision trees for anti-poaching in Limpopo, South Africa. Am passionate about conservation, AI and travelling. Help me find a way to help you!
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 13 Groups
Software Engineer, Web Developer, Tech Enthusiast. I am software engineer with a background in instrumentation, primarily developing using C/C ++. Skilled in web development, with a Grad Cert in Web Development. Enjoy experimenting with tech, e.g. Raspberry Pi, Arduino and IoT.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
Conservation X Labs
Inventor/Engineer at Parula Innovations, Hardware Engineer for Sentinel at Conservation X Labs, (Recovering) Field Biologist
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @Jmortensen
- | he/him
I am a software engineering student making a career pivot from hands-on habitat conservation.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 4 Groups
Research software engineer working in computer vision for animal behaviour
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 13 Groups
Soil science, droughts effect of poverty, human rights advocate, wage equality in Europe, Drones in Digital Education
- 3 Resources
- 10 Discussions
- 19 Groups
- @Freaklabs
- | He/Him
Freaklabs
I'm an engineer and product designer working on wildlife conservation technology.
- 0 Resources
- 302 Discussions
- 20 Groups
- @ppalencia
- | Dr
I am Pablo Palencia, a postdoctoral researcher at Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB). I am interested on develop and fine-tuning cutting-edge tools for wildlife management and conservation, wit a special mention of camera trapping ;)
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
Natural Solutions
Computational ecologist - Engineer at Natural Solutions (France)
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 13 Groups
The World Can Be Better
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 9 Groups
Liverpool John Moores University
Sensors, remote sensing, embedded systems, Drones
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 7 Groups
Article
CERES TAG
Kim Lane
Ceres Tag sends just in time alerts and GPS location to have the power to track and trace.
22 July 2022
Careers
Earth Species Project - Senior AI Research Scientist
Andrea Austin
The Earth Species Project (ESP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to decoding animal communication and translating non-human language.
15 July 2022
Article
Identification of Wildlife in Camera Trap Images
Ellie Warren
Camera trap wildlife surveys can generate vast amounts of imagery. A key problem in the wildlife ecology field is that vast amounts of time is spent reviewing this imagery to identify the species detected. Valuable...
20 December 2021
Article
Deep Learning for Marine Ecology and Conservation
Ellie Warren
This article provides a review of deep learning (predominantly ML) used in marine ecology and considerations for its future directions in conservation. In plain language, the authors provide a methodology for training...
20 December 2021
Article
The 2021 Ebbe Nielsen Challenge has opened with the aim of recognizing innovative entries that leverage biodiversity data and tools from the GBIF network to advance open science.
20 January 2021
Funding
Argos Satellite Tag Open-Source Grant
Thomas Gray
WILDLABS community member Thomas Gray from Argos has given us a preview of an upcoming grant program to develop open-source tags. Three years ago, Argos worked with the Arribada Initiative to develop an open-source...
17 August 2020
Community Announcement
Have your say: take the WILDLABS Tech Community Survey 2020
WILDLABS Admin
WILDLABS is evaluating the State of Conservation Technology alongside researchers at Colorado State University in our third annual survey. Take the survey to contribute your thoughts on the community’s progress, needs, ...
8 July 2020
Article
Creating bold conservation tech solutions requires each of us to find the intersection between our skills and passions. In this case study on the new Aqualink reef monitoring system, a unique citizen science project...
9 June 2020
Funding
Competition: 2020 Hackaday Prize
Conservation X Labs
The 2020 Hackaday Prize competition has begun! This year, Conservation X Labs has partnered with the Hackaday Prizes as one of four nonprofits seeking tech-based solutions to urgent challenges. Conservation X Labs'...
26 May 2020
May 2025
June 2025
event
Nalini
October 2025
event
Lacey Hughey and 3 more
November 2023
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Mothbox team (@briannajohns, @hikinghack, @Hubertszcz, @wellreadpanda, @alex_rogers, @mothyash) is excited to announce that we’ve won a... |
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Open Source Solutions | 1 hour ago | |
| Hi everyone,What should we share or demo about Software Quality Assurance? Alex Saunders and I, the two Software QA people at Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS) are going to... |
|
Software Development, AI for Conservation, Open Source Solutions | 3 days 14 hours ago | |
| Interesting. Thanks for the explanation. Nice to hear your passion showing through. |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 3 weeks 3 days ago | |
| I have posted about this in a different group, but I love boosting the impact of my communication through use of visuals. Free graphics relating to conservation technology... |
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Geospatial, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Funding and Finance, Open Source Solutions | 3 weeks 3 days ago | |
| 📸 Do you use camera traps in your work? Take part in our survey!Hi everyone! I’m currently a final-year engineering... |
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Camera Traps, AI for Conservation, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 3 weeks 3 days ago | |
| One of our goals with explorer.land is to bridge satellite data and on-the-ground perspectives — helping teams combine field updates,... |
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AI for Conservation, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions, Sensors | 1 month ago | |
| 15 years ago I had to rebuild the dams on a game reserve I was managing due to flood damage and neglect. How I wished there was an easier,... |
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Drones, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions | 1 month 1 week ago | |
| Hi, just wanted to let whoever is interested that v.1.3 of DeepFaune is out! Deepfaune is a software that runs on any standard... |
|
Camera Traps, AI for Conservation, Open Source Solutions | 1 month 1 week ago | |
| New stable release : v1.5.1We are pleased to announce the latest release with several important enhancement, fixes and documentation improvements to ensure compatibility with the... |
+15
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 1 month 1 week ago | |
| Hello everyone,Thank you all for your contribution!You can read some updates about this project in this post.Julia |
|
Acoustics, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions | 1 month 2 weeks ago | |
| Reposting the original post from the GOSH Community:Cool news from the mothbox team! We still don’t have any funding, but our next big goal... |
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Open Source Solutions, Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance | 1 month 2 weeks ago | |
| Yep see you on friday |
+3
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Geospatial, Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Protected Area Management Tools | 1 month 3 weeks ago |
